Whinchat

The Whinchat is a bird of the heath and similar to the
darker, plumper Stonechat. They are a little
smaller than a House Sparrow.

The male has streaked brown upperparts. The ear coverts and lores are black
with a white border and there is a
broad white stripe above the eyes. There is also a white wing patch. The
underparts are a deep buff or apricot colour. The bill and legs are black.

The female is duller than the male.

Juvenile birds are like females but
the eye stripe is less distinct and there is spotting on the breast.

Scientific Name

Saxicola rubetra

Length

12.5 cm (4½ ")

Wing Span

21-24 cm (8-10")

Weight

16-24 g (½-¾ oz)

Breeding Pairs

20000

Present

Summer

Status

Amber

Voice

In the summer, on the moors, Whinchats can be heard singing their rasping
song from a low perch.